If you run a barber shop or a salon with a men's section, you have probably noticed the change at the chair. The client who used to say "just a trim" now asks about his beard shape, whether a facial would help his skin, and what you would recommend for his hair type. This post looks at what the recent trend reports actually say, what is happening in Pakistan, and how a shop can turn the interest into steady, planned business without simply cutting prices.
What the trend reports say
The most useful recent source is Pinterest's Men's Trend Report 2026, published on 9 September 2026. Pinterest says searches by Gen Z men have increased 17 percent year over year and that Gen Z men now account for more than 62 percent of male monthly searches on the platform. Within its "Quiet Upkeep" theme, it reports:
- Men's skincare is moving to a pared back daily baseline of cleanser, moisturizer and SPF, with searches for "sunscreen for men" up 108 percent.
- Hair is getting more styled and deliberate, with searches for "soft wolf cut men" up 1,154 percent, "modern wolf cut men" up 553 percent and "curly wolf cut men" up 245 percent.
- Searches for "fragrance wardrobe" are up 159 percent, as men build a personal statement scent.
BOL News covered the report on 9 October 2026 and added figures that Pinterest attributes to its latest report: searches for men's skincare products up 280 percent, "beard fade" up 764 percent and "loose perm men" up 81 percent.
One honest caution. These numbers measure what people search for on Pinterest. They do not tell us how many men in Pakistan are booking these services, and BOL itself notes that the figures do not establish how widely each look has been adopted. Treat them as a signal of what clients may start asking you for, not as a forecast of your own diary.
What is happening in Pakistan
BOL News also reports that a June 2026 Euromonitor International report found Pakistan's men's grooming market remained moderately concentrated in 2025, with shaving products the leading category by retail value and fragrances the fastest growing category. Euromonitor's own report page says Procter & Gamble Pakistan held a 36 percent share of retail sales value in 2025. Please note this is a retail products market, not a salon services market, so it tells us about what men buy rather than what they pay a barber for.
On the services side, Aaj Entertainment reported on 20 March 2026 (in Urdu) that men's grooming has become part of the pre Eid rush. It describes men's salons in areas such as Gulberg in Lahore, Clifton in Karachi and upmarket parts of Islamabad staying open late, with young men choosing complete grooming sessions such as facials, beard styling, hair spa, manicure and pedicure instead of only a haircut. The same report says many of them book appointments before Eid to avoid the crowd.
The pressure on prices is real
Interest is growing, but money is tight. Pakistan Today reported on 20 March 2026 that grooming service prices across the country had nearly doubled because of the cost of imported products, electricity tariffs and commercial rents. It also reported that many customers were visiting less often or turning to home based grooming or smaller, cheaper shops.
A second Pakistan Today report, from 1 June 2026, gives a sense of the gap. It quotes roadside barbers charging Rs150 to 200 for a haircut and Rs100 for a shave, against Rs500 to 1,000 for a haircut and Rs300 to 450 for a shave in salons, and Rs300 to 500 for a facial on the roadside against around Rs1,500 in larger shops. The same report raises health concerns about roadside barbers and blade reuse, with medical experts warning that contaminated blades can transmit hepatitis and other infections, while some roadside barbers dispute the criticism.
Put together, the lesson for a shop owner is not that men will pay anything. It is that a shop competes on clear value: a clean, well run experience, a service that suits the individual, and a reason to come back regularly.
Practical ideas for your shop
The ideas below are our suggestions, not findings from the reports. Adjust them for your own clients and prices.
1. Offer a short menu of routines, not only single services
The reports describe grooming as a steady routine rather than a one off. A simple menu can reflect that, for example a haircut and beard trim combination, or a haircut with a facial. Keep it to a few options so your team can explain them in a sentence.
2. Record what each client likes
BOL notes that a haircut is increasingly discussed in terms of face shape, hair texture, maintenance and individual preference. If you write down each client's preferred style, beard shape, products he liked and the barber he prefers, the second visit feels personal and your team does not have to ask the same questions again.
3. Use appointments to flatten the rush
The Aaj report says many men book before Eid to avoid crowds. The same logic applies to the winter wedding season, when friends and family of the groom may all want to be ready on the same day. Taking bookings for fixed time slots, and suggesting quieter days, protects the experience for everyone.
4. Plan your retail shelf carefully
Both the Pinterest and Aaj reports mention products men are paying attention to, such as sunscreen, face wash, beard oil and styling products. If you sell any of them, know what you have on the shelf and what is selling, so you do not tie up cash in slow items or run out of the ones clients keep asking for.
5. Make hygiene visible
With hygiene part of the public conversation about barbers, tell clients what you do. A short note on your wall or booking page about clean tools, fresh towels and blade handling costs nothing. Make sure the claim is something your team really does every time.
6. Reward the regulars
Beard maintenance and haircuts are repeat services. A simple points or visit based reward for regular clients gives them a reason to choose you over a cheaper shop down the road.
Where SalonFlow can help
Most of the ideas above come down to knowing your diary, your clients and your numbers. SalonFlow is salon management software for beauty and wellness businesses in Pakistan, and its live site lists barber shops among the businesses it is designed for. According to the site, the plans are:
- Starter Flow, PKR 8,000 per month: daily billing and POS, appointment booking, staff commissions, loyalty points, customer profiling and reporting dashboards. This covers booking by time slot, client notes and preferences, loyalty rewards for regulars, and daily reports.
- Pro Flow, PKR 15,000 per month: everything in Starter Flow plus inventory management and SMS and WhatsApp messages, which is useful if you sell grooming products and want to send reminders.
- Elite Flow, PKR 28,000 per month: everything in Pro Flow plus stock control and payment vouchers and accounting.
All plans include free support and owner and staff mobile app options. The live site notes that WhatsApp setup requirements, provider fees and message charges depend on the integration you choose, and that you should confirm onboarding requirements and any third party charges with the team. You can book a demo, or message on WhatsApp at +92 309 230 8279, to see how a barber shop day would look in the system.
The bottom line
Men's grooming is moving from a quick cut to a routine that includes skin, beard, hair and scent, and the trend reports suggest younger men are leading it. At the same time, prices have risen and clients are watching their spending. Shops that offer clear routines, remember each client, manage their time slots and shelf stock, and show their hygiene standards are best placed to keep clients coming back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main men's grooming trends in 2026?
Pinterest's Men's Trend Report 2026 points to a simple skincare baseline of cleanser, moisturizer and SPF, more deliberate hairstyles such as wolf cuts, and curated fragrance collections. These figures reflect Pinterest searches, not the whole market.
Is men's grooming growing in Pakistan?
BOL News reports that Euromonitor's June 2026 report found fragrances to be the fastest growing category in Pakistan's men's grooming market, with shaving products the largest by retail value. Aaj Entertainment also reported strong demand for full grooming sessions at men's salons before Eid.
Have salon prices gone up in Pakistan?
Pakistan Today reported on 20 March 2026 that grooming service prices had nearly doubled because of higher costs for imported products, electricity and rent, and that some customers were visiting less often.
How can a barber shop stand out from cheaper roadside options?
Pakistan Today's June 2026 report shows a large price gap between roadside barbers and salons, along with hygiene concerns. A shop can focus on visible hygiene, a clear service menu, appointments and personal attention rather than competing only on price.
Should barber shops take appointments?
It is a choice for each shop. Aaj Entertainment reports that many men book ahead before Eid to avoid crowds, so appointment slots can help manage busy periods such as festivals and the wedding season.
Can SalonFlow be used by a barber shop?
According to the live salonflowpos.com site, SalonFlow is designed for salons, spas, makeup studios, barber shops, nail salons, hair salons, massage centers and aesthetic clinics. Ask for a demo to see how it fits your workflow.
Which SalonFlow plan includes inventory for grooming products?
According to the live site, inventory management is included in Pro Flow (PKR 15,000 per month) and Elite Flow (PKR 28,000 per month), and stock control is added in Elite Flow.
Sources
Trend reports
- Pinterest Newsroom, "Pinterest Men's Trend Report 2026: The intentional man," 9 September 2026: https://newsroom.pinterest.com/news/men-trend-report-2026/
- BOL News, "Men's grooming goes mainstream as Gen Z redefines modern masculinity," 9 October 2026: https://www.bolnews.com/lifestyle/mens-grooming-goes-mainstream-as-gen-z-redefines-modern-masculinity
- Euromonitor International, "Men's Grooming in Pakistan," June 2026: https://www.euromonitor.com/mens-grooming-in-pakistan/report
Pakistan salon and barber coverage
- Aaj Entertainment (Urdu), "Chand Raat Special: Eid se pehle mardon ki grooming ka barhta rujhan," 20 March 2026: https://www.aajentertainment.tv/news/30502293/
- Pakistan Today, "Rising costs push grooming service prices to double across Pakistan," 20 March 2026: https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/03/20/rising-costs-push-grooming-service-prices-to-double-across-pakistan
- Pakistan Today, "Roadside barbers draw scrutiny over hepatitis risk," 1 June 2026: https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/06/01/roadside-barbers-draw-scrutiny-over-hepatitis-risk
SalonFlow feature references
- SalonFlow POS website: https://salonflowpos.com